Hello from NY - New Rower Here

[RowNLift76]

Greetings all! So what inspired me to buy a concept 2 last January (2022)? Well who remembers the movie American Psycho?

LOL I digress, I lifted heavy weights for years and had a few injuries-lower back, knees, shoulders-I gained a lot of weight, and I needed to get back in shape. January of ‘22 is when I pulled the trigger. The rower was the first piece of the puzzle in building a simple home gym.

After some YouTube tutorials and rowing aimlessly for a few weeks, I got more serious. I got into Apple fitness and started the rowing workouts with Josh Crosby. That changed everything. I added a flatscreen TV to the basement gym and started rowing along to the workouts every day. Then I added adjustable dumb bells and a yoga mat. That’s the nucleus of my home gym right there and pretty much all I use.

I try to workout a minimum of 6 days a week. Typical workouts last 40 mins but I will go for 60 mins or more on a good day. I typically row hard for 20 or 30 mins along to the workouts and then do a strength workout right after for 20 or 30 mins with dumbbells, with minimal rest between sets. Everything is along to the Apple fitness workouts for rowing and strength training.

I’ve lost 50lbs since starting and I’m still going. My best 500 split time used to be around 2:45 now it’s around 1:55. I haven’t really tried my best 2k yet but I did once and it was around 8:35 a few months ago.

I have never been in a boat but maybe one day I’ll try it. For now I’m happy with the rowerg and it’s my favorite exercise to do. Also, I always row first then lift, I’m not trying to build muscle but my physique is starting to look pretty good, and my numbers on the rower are consistently getting better.

I see where the pro athletes are at, and while I don’t expect to achieve that level at my age I do see myself rowing a decent 2k under 8 minutes eventually. If I can achieve that and sustain it into my 60s I would be very happy.

I’m glad to be a part of this community and thanks for reading my little story.

47 yrs old, 5’8”, 260#
Used to bench/squat/deadlift a combined 1600lbs +
Now just trying to row a decent split consistently

[mitchel674]

Welcome and thanks for sharing your inspirational story!

Impressive weight loss and fitness gains in just one year. Obviously, the key was finding a routine you could stick with and enjoy. The rowerg was a great decision for you!

[Autoland]

Welcome.

I was born in Brooklyn and spent 5 years of my adult life in Rochester.

Keep up the good work.

[Dangerscouse]

Welcome to the forum. Great progress so far.

[winniewinser]

Welcome aboard and well done on your progress so far

[KeithT]

Wow, great job! Keep working and welcome to the forum - it's a great community.